Primo Japan is pleased to announce that TITP’s first Technical Intern Trainee in the sales & service sector* is Yang Ya Ju of Primo Diamond Taiwan Co. Ltd., Primo Japan’s Taiwanese subsidiary.
This is Ms. Yang’s fifth year with the company. During her time working at the I-PRIMO Taipei Zhongxiao Flagship Store and the I-PRIMO Taipei Zhongshan Store in Taipei, Ms. Yang has endeavored continuously to develop her product knowledge and, of course, her customer service skills. Selected from more than 100 employees in Taiwan, Ms. Yang will spend one year acquiring “Japanese standards of excellent product management together with hospitality and customer service skills” and also “management skills with a global perspective,” as she prepares for a future working actively throughout the greater Chinese mainland area and Taiwan. She arrived in October this year to begin working towards these goals.
The mission of the “Technical Intern Training Program” (TITP) is “to transfer Skills to Technical Intern Trainees who will form a basis of economic development in their respective countries and play an important role in Japan's international cooperation and contribution.” This program has long been implemented mainly in the manufacturing and agriculture industry. However, in the wake of revelations that rampant human rights abuses against Technical Trainee Inters were being committed, the “Technical Intern Training Law” went into effect from November 2017 with the aim of regulating these technical internships more strictly. In such environment, Primo Japan is committed to TITP’s mission with regards to human resource development and has implemented our own technical skills training program focusing on three objectives: “management ability”, “quality control”, and “customer service skills”. As a result, Ms. Yang is certified to live in Japan for a year as the first Technical Intern Trainee in the sales and service sector.
As for Ms. Yang, she is currently attending Japanese language school while undergoing training among more than 30 employees at the I-PRIMO Ginza Flagship Store. In her private life, she also enjoys a shared living space with two Japanese employees at “Primo House”, which is part of our in-house training program. The “Primo House” initiative is available not only to Ms. Yang herself, but also to many of our Japanese employees, as it leads to greater understanding and realization of a more diverse working environment.
“Ever since I joined the company, I was familiar with the in-house training program called “Primo College”, so when I heard about the Technical Intern Trainee Program, I immediately thought, ‘I want to go!’” Ms. Yang said. “I still have a lot of trouble with words because my Japanese isn’t very good yet, and I also feel like I cannot communicate very deeply at work or while living at Primo House. Even so, I can turn to other employees from China for support when I have difficulties and I’ve also enjoyed cross-cultural exchanges at Primo House doing things like cooking Japanese and Chinese food together with my housemates. These unique opportunities and experiences have helped me overcome any difficulties I’ve had.”
As for the things she likes about working here, Ms. Yang said, “I feel that the team is really united and works very well together, always treating each other very politely and courteously. For example, everyone is always saying ‘Onegaishimasu’ (‘May I ask a favor?’), ‘Shitsureishimasu’ (‘Excuse me’), and ‘Arigatou gozaimasu’ (‘Thank you’). At store meetings, my colleagues acknowledge one another’s work and thank each other, and there are so many instances where colleagues look after and support one other. I really feel that we are all working as a team to help each individual customer.”
Finally, when we asked Ms. Yang about her future career plans, her response showed her strong sense of motivation: “It is a true honor to have the opportunity to be able to work in Japan in my fifth year since joining the company. Although one year is a short time, I would like to bring back to Taiwan what I have learned about Japanese-style customer service and theories leadership of large organizations. I will be very pleased if I can contribute to the entire Primo Group by becoming an effective manager in the future.”
It’s been two months since Ms. Yang arrived in Japan. As winter in Tokyo approaches, one that is sure to be colder than that of her native Taiwan, Ms. Yang’s smile seems to lightly brush off the chill. Supported by her new friends and colleagues, Ms. Yang’s positive outlook is likewise giving many of her Japanese colleague new energy and awareness.
* Note: There is no precedent for this as far as we can determine; this is not an official statement of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.